Sanitary self-cleaning comb and case



April 1946- w. s. RICHARDS SANITARY SELF-CLEANING COMB AND CASE Filed June 20, 1944 Patented Apr. 9, 1946 UNITED STATES PAT EN T OFFICE SANITARY SELF-CLENING COMB AND GAS 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in hair combs, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising unique cleaning means whereby said device may be conveniently maintained in a thoroughly sanitary condition at all times.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character which embodies a case of novel construction which is adapted to enclose the comb and cleaning means therefor, and which, further, functions as a handle when said comb is in use.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a sanitary, self-cleaning comb and case of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact. light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention with portions broken away in section.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the comb and cleaner removed from the case with portions broken away in section.

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view in transverse section through the comb and cleaner, illustrating the method of cleaning said comb.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view, showing the comb in position for use.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a horizontally elongated, substantially U-shaped frame I of suitable material, preferably plastic. The frame I includes a back or bar 2 having depending from its end portions legs 3. Fixed on one of the legs 3 i a finger grip or handle 4. Formed integrally with the bar 2 is a depending, resilient side flange 5, the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

Rotatably mounted between the legs 3 of the frame I is a comb 6. The comb 6 comprises a back I which is mounted on pivot pins 8 and 9 between the free end portions of the legs 3, said back also being of any suitable material, preferably plastic. The pin 9 is removable to facilitate removal and replacement of the comb t when desired. The comb 6 further includes teeth it which are integralwith the back i.

Removably mounted in the frame I is a brush II for cleaning the comb 6. Immediately adjacent the bar 2 and the flange 5 thereof, the legs 3 of the frame I have extending thereinto notches or recesses I2. The brush II includes a back I3 in the form of a bar'the end portions of which are inserted laterally in the notches or recesses I2 in side-abutting engagement with the resilient flange 5. Thebrush II further includes bristles I4 which are embedded in the back or bar I3.

A relatively flat, elongated case I5 of plastic or other suitable material is provided for the assembly which has thus far been described. The case I5 is closed at one end, as at i6, and open at its other end for slidably receiving the frame I with the comb B and the brush lltherein. The bottom of the case I5 has extending thereinto from the open end of said case a longitudinal slot I! through which the teeth I0 project when the comb 6 is in use.

In use, the frame I is withdrawn from the open end of the case I5 through the medium of the handle 4. The comb 6 is then turned one-half of a revolution in the frame I for projecting the teeth In of said comb away from said frame. The frame I is then slipped back into the case I5 with the teeth II] of the comb projecting through the slot II. The device is now ready for use, the case I5 functioning as a handle or back for the comb 6 and preventing said comb from turning in the frame I. To clean the comb, the frame I with said comb therein is, of course, withdrawn from the case I5. As suggested by the arrows in Figure 5 of the drawing, the comb 6 is then oscillated through the bristles I4 of the brush II for causing said bristles to sweep between said teeth. By reference to Figures 4 and 5, it is noted that the bristles I4 are of a length so that, in the combcleaning operation, the ends of the bristles are in contact with the back of the comb and thus sweep across the latter as the comb is oscillated on its pivot pins 8 and 9, thereby not only thoroughly cleaning the lengthwise faces of the comb teeth, but also the intervening crotches at the bases of the teeth. When the cleaning operation has been completed, the teeth In of the comb 6 are brought into substantially side-abutting engagement with the bristles I4 and the device may be replaced in the case I5. By unscrewing the pivot pin 9, the comb 6 may be readily removed from the frame I when desired, as, for example, when it is necessary to replace said comb due to breaking of the teeth Ill. The brush ll may be readily removed from the frame I by flexing the resilient flange inwardly in a manner to force the back or bar [3 out of the notches or recesses I2.

It is believed that the many advantages of a sanitary, self-cleaning comb and case constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a substantially U-shaped frame, a comb, including teeth, pivotally mounted in the end legs of said frame for swinging movement about a longitudinal axis to operative and inoperative position, a brush mounted in the frame for engagement by the comb upon oscillation thereof for cleaning between the teeth of said comb and the crotches at the bases of the teeth, and an elongated case for slidably receiving the frame, the comb and the brush, said case having a longitudinal slot therein accommodating the teeth of the comb when said comb is in operative position.

2. A device of the class described comprising a substantially U-shaped frame, a hair comb rotatably mounted in said frame, and a brush mounted in the frame and including bristles engageable with the comb for cleaning between the teeth thereof and of a length so that their ends sweep in contact with the portions of the comb back in the crotches at the bases of the teeth upon oscillation of said comb in said frame.

3. A device of the class described comprising a frame including a bar and legs on the end portions of said bar, said legs having notches therein adjacent the bar, a brush removably mounted in the frame and including a back having its end portions engaged in the notches, said brush further including bristles mounted on said back,

' a comb pivotally mounted between the legs and engageable with the bristles of the brush for cleaning thereby, and a resilient element on the frame engageable with the back of the brush for disengaging said back from the notches.

4. A device of the class described comprising a substantially U-shaped frame, a comb pivotally mounted in said frame at the opposite ends thereof for swinging movement about a longitudinal axis into operative and inoperative positions, said comb, when in inoperative position, being folded substantially Within the confines of the frame, and an open-ended elongated case for slidably receiving the frame and the comb therewith lengthwise therein, said case having an openended longitudinal slot in one longitudinal edge portion thereof, the open end of said slot merging communicably with the adjacent open end of the case in a continuous slotted formation, whereby the teeth of the comb are protruded through said longitudinally slotted portion of the case and the case thereby serves as a hand grasp for manipulation of the comb in use.

WILLIAM S. RICHARDS. 

